An Idaho legislative panel has approved a rule change requiring insurers to cover medically necessary hearings aids and speech therapy sessions for deaf or hard-of-hearing children.
Under the rules passed Thursday by the Idaho House Business Committee, insurers must cover new hearing devices once every three years, as well as 45 hours of speech therapy during the first year after a device is delivered.
Proponents say the rule change not only brings much-needed relief to Idaho families, but it will also save taxpayers money. An estimated 1,000 children in the state would benefit from the measure.
Thursday’s action follows last year’s passage of a resolution calling on the State Department of Insurance to investigate the issue and consider a change in the rules. The proposed rule change passed the committee unanimously and heads to the full House for consideration. (KIFI/KIDK)
